Energy Legal Blog

FERC Finalizes Wind Interconnection Standards

Wind developers and the transmission providers with whom they interconnect now have greater certainty regarding technical interconnection standards.  FERC's order comes several months after the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) had challenged FERC’s final rule regarding large wind plants' low-voltage ride-through capability, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) capability, and maintenance of a certain reactive power factor.  NERC had argued that the earlier low-voltage ride-through standard, which requires generators to stay online for a specified time and at certain voltage levels when there is a disturbance on the transmission system, would have reduced the reliability of the electrical grid.

Following NERC's objections, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and NERC negotiated a settlement that formed the basis of the standards that FERC has how adopted.  See AWEA and NERC Settle Reliability Dispute.  These provide for a transitional period for qualifying wind generators, requiring them to ride through low-voltage events down to a voltage of 0.15 per unit for normal clearing times up to a maximum of nine cycles.  After the transition period, wind generators would have to ride through low-voltage events down to a zero voltage level for location-specific clearing times up to a maximum of nine cycles, after which the generator could disconnect if necessary.  Despite objections from various parties, FERC let stand its conclusion from the previous order that wind generators must meet specified reactive power standards only if the transmission provider shows it is necessary to ensure the safety or reliability of the transmission system. 

Other battles remain for the wind energy industry, including the potentially seminal FERC proceeding exploring potential changes to its pro forma open access transmission tariff.  Wind energy interests are advocating for more flexible use of the grid to accommodate wind energy, while various other interests object to what they call preferential treatment for wind.  But a precedent may be established in the instant rule, as FERC stated it "is necessary to recognize the technical differences between wind plants and traditional plants to ensure that the entry of wind generation into markets is not unnecessarily inhibited." 

Of some concern for wind interests, however, is the partial dissent of Chairman Kelliher in this order.  He argued that exempting wind generators from the power factor standard applicable to other generators might threaten reliability and constituted an "undue preference" for wind generators. [Interconnection for Wind Energy, 113 FERC ¶ 61,254 (2005) (Order 661-A)]